Printer Cutter Apparatus Dual Movable Blade Gap Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cutter apparatuses for printers often result in incomplete cuts due to uneven pressure distribution and friction between movable blades, leading to paper jams and poor print quality.

Innovation Solution

A cutter apparatus with a fixed blade and two movable blades, where the gap between the blades is maintained by urging members to ensure a narrow, consistent cutting edge contact, preventing blade interference and ensuring a full cut without producing undesirable paper flakes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single movable blade with V-shape cutting edge is used, then the structure is simple, but the contact pressure at both sides becomes uneven leading to cut failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade structureVSAvoidcutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single movable blade is divided into two separate movable blades (first movable blade and second movable blade). Each blade independently contacts the fixed blade at one point, eliminating the pressure distribution problem of the V-shape design while achieving precise cutting through independent pressure control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If two movable blades touch each other at the center, then the cutting edge contact is improved, but friction force increases reducing contact pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidcontact pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The contact between the two movable blades at the center is eliminated by introducing a gap. This removes the source of friction force that was reducing contact pressure, allowing each blade to maintain optimal contact pressure with the fixed blade without interference from the other blade.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If the movable blades are moved close to each other, then the gap is reduced for better cutting, but the blades may touch and generate friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidfriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A gap is introduced as an intermediary space between the first movable blade and the second movable blade. This gap prevents direct contact and friction between the blades while maintaining a narrow spacing that ensures precise cutting performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If pressure is increased to ensure full cut, then cutting reliability improves, but blade wear increases shortening lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting reliabilityVSAvoidblade lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the cutting action into two separate contact points (one for each movable blade), the required pressure for successful cutting is distributed. Each blade operates at lower, more sustainable pressure levels, reducing wear while maintaining reliable cutting performance through the coordinated action of both blades.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a sure full cut without paper flakes, preventing paper jams and improving print quality by maintaining consistent pressure and reducing friction between blades.

Implementation Method 1

a gap between the first movable blade (21) and the second movable blade (22) is provided in such manner that the gap is maintained to have a desired gap width by an urging member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2631045B1Printer and cutter apparatus
Publication Date: 2015.11.25 STAR MICRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2631045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2631045B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2631045B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A printer (9) and a cutter apparatus (1) configured to provide a sure full cut without producing an undesirable flake of paper. The cutter apparatus (1)comprises a fixed blade (11), a first movable blade (21) disposed on one side in a width direction of the paper and configured to move back and forth with respect to the fixed blade, a second movable blade (22) disposed on the other side in the width direction of the paper with a gap (S) provided with respect to the first movable blade and configured to move back and forth with respect to the fixed blade (11), and an urging member (33, 36) configured to urge each of the first movable blade (21) and the second movable blade (22) in a direction reducing the gap (S).